Foreign students wishing to attend the University of Algarve may do so:

1. Through exchange programmes ​​​​​​​for those who want to study at the University of Algarve for only one semester or one academic year;
2. By applying through the National Competition for Access to Higher Education, if they are nationals of a member state of the European Union or will have been legally resident in Portugal for more than two years, uninterruptedly, on 31 August of the year in which they intend to enter higher education. For these applicants, the conditions of access to higher education are equivalent to those of Portuguese citizens (Portuguese emigrants benefit from a special contingent). Applicants who completed their secondary education abroad, must contact the Directorate-General for Higher Education or a secondary school in order to obtain information about equivalence to Portuguese secondary education;
3. By applying through the regime to change your institution/course combination for access to higher education, if you have been enrolled at a foreign higher education institution, on a course defined as higher by the law of your country, whether you have completed it or not and provided that you comply with the provisions of Articles 9 and 10 of Ordinance no. 181-D/2015, of 19 June, with application of Article 20-A of Decree-Law no. 296-A/98, of 25 of September;
4. Through the Special Access Regimes. Foreign students may also benefit from special access conditions, if they are in one of the following situations:
   1. National scholarship students from Portuguese-speaking African countries, within the framework of cooperation agreements signed by the Portuguese State;
   2. Foreign officials from diplomatic missions accredited in Portugal and their relatives residing here, on a reciprocal basis;
   3. Nationals of the territory of Timor-Leste and their children.

It should be noted that the status of international student applies to students who do not have Portuguese nationality, except:

1. Nationals of a member state of the European Union;
2. Family members of Portuguese citizens or nationals of a member state of the European Union, regardless of their nationality;
3. Those who, not being nationals of a member state of the European Union, will have legally and uninterruptedly resided in Portugal for more than two years on the 1st of January in the year in which they intend to enter higher education, as well as the children residing with them. Note that residence purely for studying does not count for this purpose;
4. Those who, on the 1st of January in the year in which they intend to enter higher education, benefit from the status of equal rights and duties granted under the international treaty between the Portuguese State and the State of which they are nationals;
5. Those who request entry to higher education through special regimes;
6. Those who are attending UAlg under an international mobility programme, exchange agreement for that purpose, or a cycle of studies in association with one or more foreign higher education institutions.